Since the July 7th "agreement" between the Catholic Church and the Castro regime for the release of 52 specifically-named political prisoners, 40 have been sent into forced exile and only one has been released within Cuba.

Meanwhile, the other 11 political prisoners, who refuse forced exile, remain in prison this Christmas -- nearly two months past the given deadline -- without any sign of release.

So this weekend, the Church sought out two other political prisoners (there's plenty to choose from) -- not on the original list of 52 -- that would accept forced exile.

As a result, the Catholic Church continues to play into the hands of the Castro regime -- for as long as it keeps pressing political prisoners to accept exile as a condition, the regime will not release any that want to stay in Cuba and continue their peaceful dissidence.

Pope Benedict prayed for a rebirth of peace in the Middle East and encouraged Catholics in Iraq and communist China to resist persecution in his Christmas message read amid heightened security on Saturday [...]

Benedict directly criticized China, where recently Catholics loyal to the pope were forced to attend a series of events by the state-backed Church which does not recognize his authority, bringing relations with the Vatican to a low point.

"May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope," he said.

Apparently, the way to really get under the Pope's skin is by not recognizing his "authority."